Methods, systems and controllers for facilitating cleaning of an imaging element of an imaging device

Abstract

Disclosed herein are technological solutions that are configured to limit sub-optimal visualization of the surgical field during robotic and manual laparoscopic surgery. Such technological solutions are configured to systematically assess cleanliness of an imaging element of a laparoscope (or other type of similar imaging apparatus) and take action for enabling or causing the imaging element to be cleaned. In preferred embodiments, assessment of the cleanliness of the imaging element provides information that can be used for enabling or causing cleaning of the imaging element to be performed in-vivo in either a manual, semi-autonomous or autonomous manner. In this manner such technological solutions advantageously enable the surgical field during surgery to be more efficiently and consistently maintained in an optimal condition.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0001]The disclosures made herein relate generally to imaging devices and implements and, more particularly, to methods, systems and controllers for facilitating cleaning of an imaging element of an imaging device.BACKGROUND[0002]There are many types of operational procedures that require visualization of structures located within an enclosed cavity of a body of material (i.e., a body cavity). Such operational procedures are known to use an imaging device having a portion thereof that is insertable into the body cavity for acquiring imaging information of structures within the body cavity. A prime example such an operational procedure is a surgical procedure that requires imaging within a body cavity of a patient.[0003]It is known that a surgeon's visualization of the surgical field frequently becomes sub-optimal during surgery within a body cavity (e.g., laparoscopic surgery), thereby requiring cleaning of the imaging element of the imaging element. Such sub-...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]Embodiments of the disclosures made herein are directed to technological solutions that are configured to facilitating cleaning of an imaging element of an imaging device to limit sub-optimal visualization within an enclosed cavity of a body of material. A surgical field during robotic and manual laparoscopic surgery is an example of such an enclosed cavity of a body of material. In some embodiments, the disclosures herein are directed to technological solutions that are configured to systematically assess cleanliness of an imaging element of an imaging device (e.g., laparoscope or other type of similar imaging apparatus) and take action for enabling and/or causing the imaging element to be cleaned. In preferred embodiments, assessment of the cleanliness of the imaging element provides information that can

Problems solved by technology

Such sub-optimal visualization results from an imaging element (e.g., a lens) of the imaging device (e.g., a laparoscope) becoming contaminated with contaminants (e.g., vapor, liquid and/or solid debris).

Such contaminants result in an obscured field of view.

One reason for visualization of the surgical field becoming sub-optimal during laparoscopic surgery arises from delayed recognition of such sub-optimal visualization, such as due to the gradual contamination of the imaging

Images